Zimbabwe : years of hope and despair ([New] ed)

Zimbabwe is a country both blessed and cursed. British diplomat Philip Barclay witnessed the downfall of what used to be Africa's finest country, culminating in the tumultuous events of 2008 when Zimbabwe's people voted against Robert Mugabe.

But their desire for change was denied as vicious squads of indoctrinated youths loyal to the ageing dictator launched a campaign of murder, rape and destruction.

In the wake of such terror, the economy and public services collapsed, leading to widespread poverty and epidemics of diseases that Zimbabwe had not seen in living memory. This electrifying account records the violent excesses of a hated clique prepared to do anything to cling to power.

It is also a personal story of the extraordinary resilience of Zimbabwe's people.